Residents decry neglect of Mabushi-Jahi road

A two kilometre road connecting Mabushi-Jahi has been in a bad condition for years and the neglect by the FCT authorities is causing concern to residents and others who ply the road. The road, which passes between Setraco building and Zeus Paradise Hotel, starts off on Sani Abacha Way, crosses Ahmadu Bello Way by Next […]

A two kilometre road connecting Mabushi-Jahi has been in a bad condition for years and the neglect by the FCT authorities is causing concern to residents and others who ply the road.

The road, which passes between Setraco building and Zeus Paradise Hotel, starts off on Sani Abacha Way, crosses Ahmadu Bello Way by Next Cash and Carry and links up with what is known as Katampe road. It then passes through Jahi, a populated slum in the heart of the capital city and connects with Murtala Muhammad Expressway.

Residents who spoke with our reporters underlined the importance of the road to their social and economic lives.

But the road is in a deplorable state, riddled with potholes and is dusty. A volunteer was seen filling up the holes.

Awalu Musa, who was using a shovel and a wheelbarrow to dig up soil by the side of the road to fill up the potholes said, it was unfortunate that the road was neglected considering how relevant it was to the socio-economic lives of residents of Jabi, Utako, Mabushi, Kado, Katampe and Jahi districts.

“I don’t know why government has not done anything about this road. It is very critical to the people because it is in a busy area,” he said, adding that the condition of the road worsened during the rainy season.

“The road is always congested in the morning and evenings when residents are going to or coming back from work or businesses. But it is busier on Saturdays when people go to shopping at Next Cash and Carry or visit the many recreational arenas in the area,” he added.

Musa also said top government officials use the road frequently and wondered why it still has not received attention.

He said he discovered that at the spot where the road was waterlogged, the drainage was blocked.

Some cab drivers also complained about the condition of the road. Abdulaziz Hassan, a taxi driver said it was always a bumpy ride when plying the route.

“We receive unwarranted insults from our passengers when we use the road but we find it quicker to get to Next Cash and Carry Supermarket than to pass through Jabi by Airport Junction or through Ahmadu Bello Way by Banex Junction.

“Most times there is heavy traffic around  Banex Bridge and many motorists don’t like to use the road, instead they use Sani Abacha Way and branch off onto the bad road. So imagine if the road is in good condition, it will make movement around these areas very swift and smooth,” he said.

He lamented that the condition of the road had caused a lot of damage to his car. “My car tyres had deflated on several occasions while plying the road. The shock absorbers also fail whenever I shuttle on the road frequently,” he added.

A popular restaurant “BluCabana” is also located around the area and the road appeared to be the only access route to the eatery unless a motorist takes a detour.

A resident of the area, Alhaji Usman Yakubu, lamented that the road was deteriorating by the day but nothing was being done about it. He said the poor state of the road was affecting their business activities in the area.

“People get discouraged when they see the traffic gridlock around the route,” he said, adding that they arrived home late at times because of heavy traffic during rush hours.”

A tricycle rider, Aliyu Bello, said the state of the road was affecting their business, as their tricycles develop problems after plying the bad road.

“We plead with government to do something about it and fast, because this is the best time to fix the road as we are in the dry season,”  he added.

Another motorist, Obinna John, said “the condition of the road is very bad and many vehicles use the route for one reason or the other.”

He pleaded with the current administration to do something urgent about the road to improve the lives of the residents and to boost their businesses.

When contacted, the Special Adviser to the FCT Minister on Media, Sani Abubakar, said the project was not in any way abandoned, adding that the contractors were presently on site working on the road.

“The minister if I can recall, inspected that road sometime early this year and the contractors handling the project, Ms. Gilmor assured that they will deliver that road,” he said.